How to Build Strong Evidence for Your Skills Assessment
When it comes to migrating as a skilled tradesperson or professional, your skills assessment is a critical step. It’s the official recognition that your work experience and qualifications meet Australian standards. One of the most powerful ways to strengthen your assessment is through a well-prepared technical portfolio.
A strong portfolio showcases your abilities with clear, verifiable evidence such as photos, videos, and detailed project documentation. Here’s how to build one that impresses assessing authorities.
1. Understanding the Role of a Technical Portfolio
A technical portfolio is more than just a collection of your work. For skills assessments, it serves as proof that you can perform tasks to industry standards. Assessing authorities like Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) require applicants to submit:
- Photographs of completed work or work-in-progress
- Videos demonstrating your skills or processes
- Detailed project descriptions, including methods, tools, and outcomes
Your portfolio is evaluated alongside your resume, references, and qualifications — making it a crucial part of your application.
2. Start with a Clear Project List
Before taking photos or videos, create a project list that highlights:
- Type of project: Residential, commercial, industrial, or specialised work
- Your role: Clearly define your responsibilities
- Skills demonstrated: Link each project to the skills listed in the occupational standards
- Timeframe: Include start and completion dates
This list becomes the backbone of your portfolio, helping assessors quickly understand the scope and relevance of your work.
3. Capture High-Quality Photos
Photos are the simplest way to provide visual evidence, but quality matters. Keep these tips in mind:
- Show the full project: Capture before, during, and after images
- Highlight key skills: Focus on tasks that demonstrate your technical expertise
- Use clear, well-lit images: Avoid dark, blurry, or cluttered photos
- Include scale or context: Show the size or complexity of your work (tools, machinery, or reference objects help)
Remember: each photo should tell a story and clearly reflect your role in the project.
4. Create Effective Videos
Videos are more persuasive, as they show process and technique in real time. Consider:
- Short and focused clips: 1–3 minutes per skill or task
- Step-by-step demonstration: Highlight your method and explain your reasoning if possible
- Safety and professionalism: Always follow proper workplace safety procedures — assessors look for adherence to standards
- Good audio and visual quality: Use a tripod or stable surface and ensure instructions or commentary are clear
Videos are especially useful for trades requiring physical dexterity or specialised procedures.
5. Organise Your Portfolio Logically
A messy portfolio can confuse assessors. Organise your evidence by:
- Project or job
- Skill category (aligned with your occupation’s standards)
- Evidence type (photo, video, diagram, certificate)
Include brief captions or annotations to explain what each piece shows, your role, and the skills demonstrated.
6. Supplement with Supporting Documents
While photos and videos are critical, additional documentation strengthens your case:
- Work diaries or logbooks
- Job cards or invoices
- Reference letters from supervisors or employers
- Training certificates or licenses
These pieces corroborate your visual evidence and show consistency across your experience.
7. Tips for a Strong Assessment Submission
- Keep it professional: Use consistent formatting and avoid unnecessary clutter
- Prioritise relevance: Include only evidence that directly demonstrates your skills
- Backup everything: Save digital copies in multiple formats for security
- Follow guidelines: Check your assessing authority’s requirements for file size, format, and submission method
A well-prepared portfolio demonstrates not just your skill, but also your attention to detail and professionalism.
Final Thoughts
Your technical portfolio is one of the most compelling ways to prove your skills and experience for a skills assessment. By carefully selecting projects, capturing high-quality photos and videos, and organising evidence logically, you increase your chances of a successful assessment — and set yourself up for a smooth migration process.
A strong portfolio is more than documentation; it’s your professional story, showcasing your capabilities to an assessor in the clearest, most credible way possible. Contact us today to get started!